Mannar bridge and causeway nearing completion

by Vavuniya Special Corr.

Construction work on the new Mannar bridge and the causeway connecting the Mannar Island with the mainland are nearing completion, with funds from the Japanese Government.

The bridge spanning 157.1 metres in length and 10.4 metres in width has been constructed with two lanes of carriageway and sidewalks on the Medawachchiya-Mannar-Thalaimannar (A 14) road. The causeway has been extended up to 3.14 kilometres in length and 11.0 metres width comprising two lanes of carriageway.The existing bridge and causeway which connects the Mannar Island and the mainland were constructed in the 1930s with a single lane which is narrow in width. It was the only access road to the Mannar Island from the mainland.

The bridge which was damaged due to a terrorist bomb blast in 1990 was restored with a temporary steel Bailey bridge which was narrow in width and was restricted for heavy vehicles of over 10 tons.